Clubfoot is one of the most common, non-life threatening, major birth defects among infants globally.
Clubfoot is one of the most common, non-life threatening, major birth defects among infants globally. Clubfoot twists the heel and toes inward. It often appears like the top of the foot is on the bottom. Additionally, the clubfoot, calf, and leg are smaller and shorter than normal. When clubfoot is detected at birth, it is not painful and is correctable.
The exact cause is unknown. Clubfoot is twice as likely to occur if one or both parents and/or a sibling has had it. Less severe infant foot problems are often incorrectly called clubfoot. Approximately 1 in every 1,000 newborns has clubfoot. Of those, 1 in 3 have both feet clubbed. 2 out of 3 clubfoot babies are boys.
The goal of treating clubfoot is to make the infant’s clubfoot functional, painless, and stable by the time he or she is ready to walk.
The doctor starts by gently stretching the child’s clubfoot toward the correct position. A cast is put on to hold the foot in place. Serial casting is the process used to slowly move the bones of a clubfoot into the proper alignment.
One week later, the cast is removed, the baby’s foot is stretched a little farther toward the correct position, and a new cast is applied. X-rays are used throughout the process to check on progress toward proper foot alignment. Casting generally repeats for 6-12 weeks, and may take up to 4 months.
About half the time, clubfoot straightens with casting. Once the proper foot alignment is achieved, the child is fitted with special shoes or braces to keep the foot straight once corrected. These maintenance devices are used until the child has been walking for up to a year or more.
Muscles for children with clubfoot commonly try to return to the clubfoot position; a regular occurrence among 2 and 3 year olds, but a condition that may continue up to age 7.
In some cases, stretching, casting, and bracing is not enough to correct clubfoot. Surgery may be required to adjust the tendons, ligaments, and joints in the foot and ankle.